When I started dog training, I was in high school. A literal child. I worked under another trainer in my town to learn and build a resume. Well he was a positive reinforcement trainer. And I blindly believed him when it came to tools. Well my family got a puppy after a year of working with the trainer. I couldn't get her to walk on a loose leash. I did everything I knew how with positive reinforcement and it just wasn't working well enough. So I researched tools and decided to try a prong, and like you mentioned in your video, it was instant understanding. I was able to correct her in a way that made sense to her and after a couple weeks I was able to walk her without it just fine. Another thing, positive reinforcement trainers are big on harnesses. My dog literally runs away from me if I try to put a harness on her. But a harness isn't mean. When it comes to training tools, I believe you should do what works for your dog. Dogs are individuals and have their own likes and dislikes
I had the same thoughts about prong collars. I thought they were torture devices. Then I watched a lot of training videos and decided to try a hermsprenger. Our dog gets overly excited now anytime I get the prong collar out because she knows that means we're going somewhere fun.
I use a prong on service dog and was eager to do so. My dog is a Doberman and at 9 months, is way too strong for me. The prong helps me control her better and helps her understand what I’m asking of her. The only hesitation I had about using one was the stigma and what kind of pushback I would get from those who were uneducated about it.
I appreciate the way you approached this topic and explained how it is important to view both sides of the discussion before deciding for yourself as I behavioural trainer myself who often works with anxious dogs, I thought I would add my two cents for anyone who is interested. For anyone who is contemplating a Prong Collar, a few things to consider 1. It is a good idea if using any sort of aversive to use a verbal warning before the correction as it gives them an opportunity to avoid the punishment and also allows you to fade the correction much quicker. (Jen did mention that migraines make this difficult for her but for other's this may help) 2. Often dogs that pull on lead excessively (not like Buddy) do so out of anxiety or uncertainty, introducing a punishment based device often makes this behaviour worse so a prong collar is not ideal. Get the emotion right first THEN teach the behaviour you want 3. 1 in 4 dogs are genetically predisposed to anxiety, these dogs are not likely to cope with punishment based devices. However approximately 1 in 4 are very genetically stable (Buddy is a perfect example) and due to their confidence can adapt to these methods without it affecting their emotional state. Always take note of how your dog reacts afterwards to know whether THEY consider something threatening. 4. Lastly, Be careful of when you correct as, if you correct a dog that is lunging towards a child in excitement it is very easy to accidentally create a negative association with children especially in an anxious dog. This can actually CREATE a fear of children. Also for anyone looking for an alternative, front-attach harnesses work really well at controlling pulling and have no aversive effect :) TLDR, Some dogs can adapt to Prong Collars without them causing harm but there are risks that must be considered. Only ever use this sort of equipment under the guidance of a trainer who takes into account the emotional state of the dog and uses methods based on dog psychology.
I'd say you should always consult a dog trainer, period. Dogs need to be trained properly. Especially if you intend to use positive punishment, you don't want to freak out your dog, but want to gently correct unwanted behaviors.
@@10prozenthimmel I agree 100% in fact I will amend my comment to reflect it and you need to be very picky about the trainer that you choose. Not all are equal in knowledge or skill
well prong collar is absolutely not a solution to pulling on a leash. I only ever worked with emotionally stable animals (as a breeder it is the only dog you want to use for breeding) so every pulling was a result of excitement and/or leadership issues, but for me the best method is to just stop and recall the dog or even change direction of walking. Pulling ot of anxiety I only encountered in pups in new environment, but there a prong collar is out of the question anyway and there is no such thing as correcting anxiety, only calming down, providing safety or laughing at the silliness can resolve that.
That is odd that you recommend the alternative, front-attach harnesses. My bull mastiff-great Dane hated them and would not walk at all. If I held up a choice for him to pick he would ask for the pronged collar. Frankly he was my service dog, and super well trained and not one to pull. He just came to me with the collar, so I had it. Just like his vest came with him. I had actually gone out and gotten just a regular collar for him. He didn't seem to care for that as much. So here is the thing though, I have in the past before I got him trained dogs, and the fact is that most people pull on the leash, and don't just give it a slight tug to tell the dog to stop. Instead they jerk the leash and pull backwards which can damage the dogs trachea in small dogs but even in big dogs it is unhealthy. Big dogs especially need to be trained from day one. When I started my lab shepherd mix as a puppy, I didn't even introduce him to a leash till my daughter wanted me to bring him to show and tell. The school required my 60 lb. lab shepherd to be on a leash, and I agreed it was a good rule, but he didn't know what it was. I had to carry said 60 lb dog to the classroom and back to the car. He had always just been trained to heal next to me and and stop when I said wait. I just started him out that way from the get go. The problem is most people wait way to late to start training their dogs. By the way, I am not talking about Jen here. Just saying. But training started with Moses when I brought him home from the box in front of Walmart. It started out with rewards for accidentally sitting when I said sit. He was prone to sit when I talked to him so we rewarded that behavior. We just always worked and trained throughout the day in couple minute sessions. I am work at home, so I could do this! Most people wait till they have issue with the dog before they start training the dog. Now they are trying to correct a dog, not work with it and build a relationship with the dog. The thing is with any collar you have to be trained to use them. Even a flat collar can be very dangerous, especially if you are jerking on a leash of any kind around the neck. Many people are using flat collars on dogs especially little ones who should only ever be on a harness and doing massive damage. I think your recommended front harness would be fine if you get the dog early enough to be able to introduce it at a young age. But then again if you get the dog and start working with the dog at that young age you probably never need more than just a harness to walk the dog. I mean, my Moses could scale a 7 foot fence easily, but the only time he went over the fence is if my kids left the yard and then he thought he had to go round them back up. I am saying training needs to start really early and be just fun games as the puppy grows.
i personally am not a fan of prong collars because i feel that they are too easy to be misused, and therefore can easily put the dog in danger (again if they are not used properly) however, i think this video is amazing because you not only made it very clear that you use the prong collar properly but you even showed us that buddy feels you use it properly too. you are an amazing person and buddy is lucky to have an owner like you!
Love this! I agree that in the wrong hands or if used incorrectly they can be a problem, but that's the case for a lot of things! Even over-treating your dog to obesity puts the dog in danger. It's all about how you use the tools!
I used a prong collar at the suggestion of the dog handler at obedience class. She showed how it felt on my arm; it did not go in as far as the video shows. It really wasn't for my Westie because he is such a wuss and complained about any little hurt he had. My sister's Corgi got one after I showed it to her. When she picked it up from the local pet store, he told her that a woman who trains Corgis uses them. It shows that it depends on the dog and the knowledge of the handler. You can turn the prongs to point outward if you wish after initial training is finished.
@@MommingwithMigraine exactly. Rolling pins can be misused if women murder their husbands with them. I’d still use a rolling pin. Obviously a very extreme and weird example but at the same time I feel a reasonable one
Because of the obvious love and caring that you have shown in your care and training of Buddy, I support your decision to use it. You have raised and trained him and he obviously loves you as you love him. 👍 I enjoy your videos and learn from them even though I don't have health problems.
Haven't watched the video yet but I'm happy you're spreading awareness about this seemingly controversial topic. Thanks for having the courage to advocate ❤
Horse person here. With everything I know about bits, prong collars make so much sense! It gives you the tools to communicate more information with less pressure, quicker, etc. But it's totally not for a dog who doesn't understand any of their owner's cues yet. It's power steering not power brakes
Before his tail wagged...he bowed, which is an invitation to play! Then he kept attention, and more energy, and he was both in reach and had his throat exposed. He was WANTING the collar!
@@MommingwithMigraine Yep my dog, preferred his pronged collar and he didn't need one, but we used it because he didn't like the regular collar??? He was a service dog also!
We used the same type prong collar when training our GSD. (mainly to heal while walking) Worked like a charm! We were guided on how to use it by a professional. On large dogs with a thick coat it defiantly does NOT hurt! In fact, in many cases they can barely feel it unless yanked a bit sharply. The blunted ends of the prongs are designed to not hurt.
My Service dog Copper back 7 years ago preferred his prong collar. I can't believe how many people will put a choke chain on their dog, but not a prong collar. The choke chain can damage the dog's throat. My 14-year-old rescue has a trachea issue because of a non-pronged collar. He was on a flat collar, but because of his pulling behavior he now has serious breathing and eating issues. He came to me at 7 years old. The damage had been done. I immediately changed him to a harness because he is little but these same people will criticize me for using a pronged collar on a 110-pound dane/mastiff mix. The pulling on a flat collar or choke chain is worse than the pronged collar. My Copper would not walk on one of the nose or chest leads at all. He hated them. But he would get excited when I got his pronged collar out over all his other collars even flat.
Thank you so much for speaking about this. We got our dog not long ago, he's awesome in so many ways (as most dogs are!). We've been training him but still find that he'd do a lot better with clearer communication on our part. After long considering our options as well as what *he* needs, we finally decided to order a herm sprenger too. It's all about knowing *how* to use the instrument and choosing the one that suits your dog best :)
I hated the thought of a prong collar, but my younger dog is both inordinately strong and very easily distracted, so one was recommended to us for his safety and mine on walks. We chose a hidden prong “magic” collar (prongs covered with decorative nylon webbing and ribbon, so it looks like a regular martingale). He is always excited to go anywhere with us, but he absolutely DIVES into his “magic” collar when we pick it up. Seeing how he responded really made me not feel so bad about using one, and we can now both be happy and safe when out walking.
This is the second time I’ve watched this vid - ITS GOLD! When I first saw it I was on the fence about prongs - never thought I’d have a dog that needed one. But I was desperate…my SDiT was about to be washed. After 6 mo of intensive training (w/3 different trainers) it broke my heart to give up on her. Then I started my research (as u recommended). Our 4th trainer agreed to work w/us ONLY if we used a prong (& only w/a Harm Sprager as u suggested). She instructed me on proper fit & use to calm my fears (yes she made me wear it on arm too!). 3 mo later I have a dog that understands what I want, her heel is fantastic, she no longer pulls or lunges @passing cars, she’s safer - I’m safer (I haven’t been pulled to the ground since starting it)! THANK YOU, THANK YOU - your vid opened my eyes so my sweet pup could be all she could be. “Power steering “ for my dog is exactly what was needed. (I’m pretty sure you’ve delivered by now - hope everything went well - GOD bless your new little one & the rest of your family!). Kisses to Buddy for us! Peace🐾
Great video. I am a dog trainer and I am no longer training dogs, that was about twenty years ago and I have a service dog that I trained using an e-collar. It's just a stimulation collar not a shock collar. I think the biggest misunderstanding that people have with a prong collar or a choke chain is they tug on it they don't understand like you explained the quick sharp Jerk it should last a nanosecond and it doesn't bother the dog at all. it gives them clear communication that you are not to pull. Thank you so much. I'm getting a new service dog because my service dog of twelve years died last month. The problem I'm having is I need to work with a professional service dog trainer and they will only use positive reinforcement training. So for me that's quite a new direction to training a service dog. I see positive and negatives in both. I think the way I explain it is with positive reinforcement training you are rewarding what you want with the other type of training you are correcting what you don't want. So this was a great topic yes it's controversial but there's no one way to skin a cat. Or there's no one way to train a service dog. Thank you so much I Am brand new to your channel and this was a very good topic.
Thank you for this video, it would seem that the positive only crowd is always on a pushback against balanced trainers these days. I've said this very thing all the time ...one only has to observe dogs at play to understand that corrections are part of their vocabulary...not adding fair corrections to your communication tool box is like trying to communicate with another human without verbs and nowns.
YES THANK YOU!!! We need more content like this on the internet! I avoided using a slip lead with my current dog for the same reason, as soon as we started using it it was amazing communication and SO much easier than a flat collar. We used a prong collar with my dog we had when I was a kid. Looking back we weren't using it correctly and she still was totally fine after 9+ years of use- ya''ll should still research and use it correctly though!! Also she was always super psyched when she heard her prong collar and wanted us to put it on her for a walk.
This video was really well done and you clearly are committed to figuring out how to best look after your dog ❤️ To anyone who’s considering it I think it’s worth noting that obviously as a service dog the level of communication that she has with her dog was already exceptional. If you’re struggling to build this communication/ you’re frustrated with your dog’s behaviour look at and really invest effort in ‘positive training’ methods first! It takes time and effort on your part to become an effective communicator with your dog so in my opinion (just a dog owner) if you’re not willing to research and explore these techniques it’s probably best to generally stay away from applying negative pressures just yet, unless you’re fully committed to understanding how they shape behaviour. Using tools incorrectly can buy you more ‘bad’ behaviours than you get rid of, so don’t look to them as shortcuts. As she said she used it to fine-tune her communication with her dog not to establish it in the first place. I think it’s so important to understand that a dog can only behave well if you teach them what behaving well actually is (vs just teaching them what is not behaving well).
One of my dogs goes through fazes of what she likes sometimes it's her harness, her martingale collar, or her flat collar right now it's the flat collar
This is really pedantic, but in psychology the terms "positive" and "negative" when discussing reinforcement and punishment actually refer to whether you are adding ("positive") or taking away ("negative") something to reinforce a behaviour or to punish. "Reinforcement" always refers to rewarding and reinforcing a behaviour, whereas "punishment" always refers to punishing and discouraging a behaviour. For instance, an example of negative reinforcement would be: if a child does well in school, then their parents take away a chore they would normally do; an example of positive punishment would be if a child does poorly in school, adding a chore they wouldn't normally do. (further examples: positive reinforcement would be giving a child a cookie for being kind to their sibling; negative punishment would be taking away their video games for being mean to their sibling.)
Definitely pedantic. I have heard/do think that popping the collar for quick gentle correction is a positive punishment, like I said in the video. It's "positive" (adding something) to "punish" (discourage). Your example of bad kid has to do an extra chore... in this case, bad Bud has to deal with me annoying him. Tbh I'm not 100% sure what you're getting at.
@@MommingwithMigraine The neuroscientist in me just wanted to provide a little 'fun fact' on the subject since it was brought up. It wasn't meant as a harsh criticism, rather an educational tidbit for those interested. Tbh I can't tell from plain text writing if you're offended, but it wasn't intended that way.
@@wanderandwonder121 Yes that so right! Very clear examples. And I think it's very difficult to explain, so good job! I do indeed feel a certain hostility in her reply, and in the video even. (that's my personal feeling about this, can't put a finger on it) I think she was expecting hate or harsh comments, which could explain her reply to you, or she had a bad day, happens to all of us. Don't take it personally though, I thought your comment was very helpful and factual! There is some controverse about these terms I feel, so it's even more important to get it straight. Victoria Stilwell, the dog trainer from "It's me or the dog", has her own take on training of course, and has also had some backlash for using the term. Because she believes in only using positive interactions, that give the dog a positive feeling, not in the usual sense of the term positive training as you explained so well. Her website is even called Positively. So she has to explain her take on it often. (actually imo she uses the term kinda wrong, or at least misleading, it's an unfortunate name) Have you heard of it? What's your take on her terminology?
@@MrsJolene- Thank you for your kindness and encouragement! I completely agree with you and also felt her comment was harsh, but she was probably expecting a lot of negativity. To be honest, it did put me off the channel a bit because I found it hurtful even though I understand she probably thought my comment was intended differently. Yes, I think a lot of people use the terms colloquially rather than in their true technical meaning, which makes understanding what the speaker or writer means rather difficult if they don't provide their own definition. I haven't heard of it, but I absolutely agree with you that it's very important to use the terms correctly or explain your own meaning of them in order to avoid confusion, especially if someone is using them to teach others a training technique! Thanks again for your kindness and reassurance, I appreciate it.
Thank you so much for making this video! It was so helpful! I have a service dog in training and I’m struggling with her leash pulling. I’ve been going back and forth for a while now about e collars, vibration collars, and prong collars. I’ve heard they’re great and good training tools that aren’t inhumane but I’ve also heard they’re incredibly inhumane and unethical. After lots of research I was leaning more towards the e collar but just using the vibration setting (I would never shock my dog). This really helped me understand dog language and how it relates to the prong. You’re explanation referencing social psychology actually helped it make a lot more since to me. Especially the pictures of Buddy with the puppy and different pain examples in Buddy and yourself. Thank you so, so much!
I gave in, bought one and put it on myself...I gave it several pulls and to my total shock it didn't hurt at all so in public I use it...Great difference when I just put it on him with no slight snap back on it! Amazing!!! I was one of those ppl that first said, No Way it's wicked looking"....Glad I bought it now!!!
Thank you for the video! I am a loong time amateur dog breeder/trainer. I never needed to use the prong collar (I had one for my first dog but ended up not using it), but I accepted that there are situations where it is better than nothing, especially with large strong dogs that were spoiled in their youth and need to be corrected during their puberty. After seeing your video, i think it is even pretty good! I would still hesitate to use it on breeds with thin necks such as greyhounds, but dogs that have ample hair on their necks and usually some amount of loose skin have very good tolerance for this kind of thing. I mean my breed (czechoslovak vlcak) loves to play in a way that looks like trying to murder each other. On the other hand, I also know firsthand that they have very good control of the hardness of the pressure they use by their teeth (once I played with my pups and their mother "grabbed" me by the neck - i felt just a tiny bit of touch) so that is also important to keep in mind - like you said, it should not be used as a strong punishment. But I mean Buddy's behavior speaks for itself and one can clearly see the difference between reaction to the brush and to the prong collar.
Thanks for this explanation, I think you put it very well! If a dog "needed" it for behavioral, I'd say get them to an experienced trainer ASAP! They may introduce a prong or e collar, but with such sensitive things it's better not to take matters into your own hands. Just in case because the pups can't talk! But I completely agree that in Bud's case, very trained, older, floofy, clear body language... he loves it.
I bought prong collar once before for mix lab it was amazing I walked all way ice cream place with stroller. Plus I’m now using it for our another dog who is 4 years old now because likes to pull
I appreciate this video - I've been hesitant to use one for years before finally getting one - It saved my dog from having to go back to the shelter after he had been there for almost a year already and helped me train him to where I could find him a suitable home P.s. You look super pretty in the dress!
This reminds me of my dog and his leash he prefers to have is short leash rather than a long or retractable leash he also has an e collar that works great without pain
Agree 100% tools are only harmful when used incorrectly and based on what you said you seem to use correctly so great job creating a healthy balanced relationship with your dog.
I feel like prong and ecollar training, for the humans!, has come a long way. I agree they are easier to misuse but I've also seen what a misused regular collar can do. So I am all for more proper training and information being put out there, for people. In the end it's just a tool, just like any other.
I feel like it starts with the breeder/seller. Most respectable/reputable breeders will ask questions about your intentions with your new puppy, they wouldn’t give a puppy to a handler who hasn’t shown some level of competence (whether that be years of experience training dogs or the want to learn to train this dog for the first time). Then you get into back yard breeding, pet smart sellers and adoption sellers that throw the whole thing out the window :D
A balanced dog like buddy is an excellent translator between people and dogs. For a lot of people it can be hard to tell for instance what a bark means but if your dog is balanced they will let you know. If a dog barks at me and my dogs don’t react I know it’s just an insecure or dominant bark. If they walk up and want to greet then I know it was just a “hey look there’s new friends” bark and means no harm. If my dogs puff up and pay more attention to me I know it’s a dog that means harm and they are looking to me to see if we are going to correct that dog and defend ourselves or if we are going to ignore. You can clearly see that buddy is making his wants and likes crystal. A tense, quiet, low body means I really don’t want to be doing this but a calm, happy, relaxed body shows that they’re into it. If you provide your dog with balance they will open up a whole new world of communication between you and them and all dogs and in my personal experience I communicate better with people know that I read body language better. A mother dog doesn’t give her puppies treats when they are doing what she wants, she gives them balance and harmony and a few corrections here and there are not in anyway offensive to dogs. They want to know the rules and expectations so they can fit into the pack and be a part of it. They don’t want to feel like outcasts and they know they aren’t with you and on the same wavelength so to speak when you don’t communicate the rules to them in their language. Discipline is good it provides structure and they know what to expect. Punishment is bad because it makes no sense to them. They don’t understand why they are in “time out” because it’s not a natural behavior they practice with their species. Lol basically dogs are amazing and if you want to know how to communicate and have an amazing relationship with them learn their language. They will gladly teach you.
A prong collar was the safest way for my older sis to train her husky haha. She refused to use a slip lead, I use limited slip(martingale) collars. That husky walked so beautifully on her prong, and never acted like it hurt. She'd strangle herself pulling on a flat, and she'd pull you to kingdom come on her harness (or pull your bike nicely). Haven't used a prong myself, but considering it for my current foster dog. She doesn't care if her martingale tightens. And with my swollen lymphnodes, I can't really wrestle her like I used to be able to do.
For my rat terrier, success with the prong collar was instantaneous. I'd already tried just treats and.coaxing, a choke collar (he constantly choked himself and coughed and spit), a two point leash (which helped a lot) bit he'd just lay down a lot. Solved all my problems in five minutes. Almost took back the collar because already done with it. But will keep it for future training. Have to say, for just leash training, I'm now a believer and before this experience looked at those who used them as torturers. But the plain and simple fact is that dogs understand it much better than words.
I cared for a dog once who had an encounter with a really horrible person who put a shock collar on her and then kept pushing the remote to zap the dog, just for his own entertainment. The person who did this was a friend (after this happened it was a former friend) of the dog owner who had "cared" for the dog before. This only happened once, a few years before I met the dog, and I learned about it when wanting to take the dog for a walk, I put a collar on her. The dog's behavior changed completely. She became very aggressive to me and would not let me get close. She would bark growl and snap at me every time I tried to get close to her. She but me good at one point when I tried to take the collar off. It took me 2 full days to get the collar off, and once it was off she was back to her friendly self. I eventually had to sneak up on her while she was sleeping, and I finally got it off before she realized I was there. By the way, it is really hard to sneak up on a sleeping dog. It's why it took me 2 days. Just one experience being tortured by a shock collar was enough to make the dog absolutely terrified of *ANY* collar. I felt horrible for this dog. I didn't even blame her for biting me. But a few years later, when I went to take care of the dog again, she greeted me like an old friend. So I guess she didn't hold my putting a collar on her against me. Just be careful when you leave your dog with someone. Make sure they won't abuse your animal.
I had a Ridgeback who walked perfectly except when other dogs were involved. We worked with a dog behaviourist, he was absolutely not food motivated in those situations and even wanted nothing to do with a female dog in heat (he was fixed, her dog happened to be in heat and she wanted to see if he would at least be interested in her… no dice) … We worked hard with a combination of head halter (that was properly introduced), and then later a front clip harness (also properly introduced) … He hated both of them. When he’d see one or the other come out he’d run away and cower. I hated putting them on, but he was so powerful I’d get pulled to the ground otherwise if he saw another dog. I did my research and like yourself, I decided to try the “evil prong collar” on someone’s suggestion. Like yourself, I too put it on myself and even on my own neck! I was surprised how ok it felt. I introduced my boy to the prong and yes it was fit correctly (it sits high up the neck and quite snugly, please have a trainer show you if you decide to use it as I see so many ppl using it like a choke chain 😬 which is a big no no!) Even though he never pulled on walks unless he saw another dog, he was totally a different dog. Much more alter to me, FINALLY looked to my guidance on other dogs!! AAANNDD best of all, as soon as he heard the jingle of the prong, he’d come RUNNING to go for a walk! I was sold, but it did hurt getting judged by ppl even when I’d explain that we tried other devices, this is what HE preferred and felt happy in and helped him understand that we ignore other dogs on our walks!
My mum used a leash on me as a toddler in went on my wrist. I was always running whenever she needed to attend to my baby sister. I'm the only that she ever used one with. None of my other siblings were runners like I was. We used something similar with our dog and it didn't work with him. Love a small part of how you train Buddy.
I fully agree with you. Keep an open mind you never know what you may discover, and before you try anything on your SD or pet try it on yourself first so you know what the dog is going to be feeling. I firmly believe that every single dog is different, responds differently to different forms of training or different collars, I believe that dogs all feel sensations differently, and that if you pay attention the dog will tell you if it's okay with the device or if it's really hurting him. That gentle training, and alertness to cues from the dog is what makes you such a good trainer and handler for buddy. He trusts you, and now you speak his language so communication is now very effective. The main thing with any collar or training device is alertness and attentiveness. Those two qualities are what makes knowing your dogs true thoughts on the device are, and allows you to make a good decision.
We use both a prong and an ecollar at different times with our heeler (on leash/off leash) and I’ve never considered either of them to be any sort of reinforcement, that comes after. To me they are very simply clear and concise non-verbal communication. I use treats, praise, and toys for reinforcement. For example, dog pulls, I do prong correction, dog drops back to my side, I reward with treat or praise. The key though is neither should be a painful stimulus ever.
I find the logic of prong collars pretty interesting. Since a normal collar will apply pressure on the front of their neck which practically enables something in the dogs brain that their balance is wrong and they are falling backwards, therefore they lean forward so that they don't feel like they're falling. Prong collars apply equal pressure so it is just to show the dog to stop instead of putting their balance off, its really interesting.
I've never heard of that but that actually seems completely true. We have to teach the dog to "give" to flat collar leash pressure, but I never knew why. That's a super interesting theory.
using the prong collar is no better than scrunching the scruff of their neck to tell them no. You don’t grab or pull on it hard. A little squeeze when they are losing control, makes a big difference. My dog doesn’t like strangers and will bark for minutes after they leave. Having that little “no thank you” helps correct the behaviour. It’s how they are corrected as pups or in the wild - all animals have that command their mother gave them
I always assumed prong collars were inhumane, but now I believe if used correctly and it works for the dog and the trainer it may be a useful humane training tool. I am not sure if the prong collar would work for me and my headstrong staffy who pulls I think she might still pull with it on. I now use a harness and attach the lead at the front of the harness where her chest is so that when she pulls it steers her back towards me and that works well for us. I really think training is very important for all dogs the better trained the more safe and humane for the dog and the more freedom the dog can enjoy. If the prong collar can help to humanly train dogs if used correctly then that seems like a good thing to me.
Humane is most important in my eyes. The prong/e collar use isn't to TEACH the dog to walk nicely, it's to reinforce/gently correct the dog back to the behavior they already know. I am not a trainer, but I wouldn't personally recommend it for a dog that doesn't already loose-leash walk.
My service dog is also not treat-motivated, it took her trainer a long time to teach her to even hold things in her mouth. The treats, better treats, and hotdogs didn't work, she needed a freshly cooked chicken to be interested enough! I don't think a prong collar would be good for her, though, because she's pretty small and gentle - she whines when bigger dogs start looking a tiny bit aggressive even if they're not touching her yet. I do use a Halti, so with a tiny flick/pull of the leash she has to turn her head towards me and pay closer attention, and it works perfectly for her (I only use it when she's working). My other dog, however, might need something like that. He's a highly opinionated, wily, smart trickster :D
Of course prong collars can be bad or “evil” when used incorrectly but used correctly they can be a SUPER helpful tool. (There aren’t any yet but..) HATERS BEGONE!! Also wanted to say thank you again Jen for all your videos. They’ve gotten me through a rly dark time and helped give me faith that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I got a shirt today I need to share with you, it says “broken crayons still color”. I have no clue why but I thought maybe you’d appreciate it as much as I do :) yayyy mental health!!
@@MommingwithMigraine do you have a P.O. Box? I have the random urge to send you one of these shirts (not saying you’re broken obviously but we feel that way sometimes with chronic issues)
@@MommingwithMigraine I’m so sorry if that’s insulting in any way, my fiancé thinks it’s a shirt insulting myself and now I’m concerned other people may feel the same. I think it’s super positive though
I still love you and will watch your content, but disagree with the use of prong collars. I also worry that people will take this as an endorsement of using prong and shock collars, which in many dogs will have consequences on their emotional wellbeing (I realize you said several times to research all sides of the issue, but people often don't, especially if this confirms what they want to hear). I hear your reasoning and do agree that in your situation, Buddy does not appear to be negatively affected; I would be curious to see his body language during a correction though to fully assess that. I know of several trainers (and even more veterinary behaviorists) who use solely positive reinforcement and are able to achieve the desired outcome in cases where most people think it's impossible without some form of punishment.
I think it really depends on both the situation and the character and motivation of the animal you want to train. There are definitely some combinations of those where it's very hard or even impossible to get your point across with only positive reinforcement. Sometimes being able to say no thank you is very powerful indeed and much less confusing than trying it with positive reinforcement. My experience is more with cats than dogs but I have a cat who is very sensitive and gets confused and frustrated very easily, if she doesn't understand what she's supposed to do. I use verbal clues for her and having a 'no' worked wonders. It is not something that works for every case nor should it be used for every dog. But as Jen said correctly: inform yourself, know your pet and it's needs and make sure you do it right. Even the most harmless thing can be painful in the wrong hands but being able to communicate as precisely as possible is super important.
this is a thing about some of the controverisal topics. I mean electric collar and prong collar can be a perfect tool in hands of a person that has very good understanding on how to use them and very good feel for the animal. You are right that many of the people who will use them are not able to use them properly. Unfortunately, many of the people who have dogs are not able to have them properly. That is the result of freedom - there will always be people that should never ever do some things like have pets or have babies, but there is no way to legally and ethically stop them. On the other hand, lots of people that would be able to use these tool properly and get really good results never try them, because they are told it is evil. And yeah, most of the time there is no reason why you shouldn't take the long road of positive reinforcement only, but then there are situations like this one, where at times the person cannot provide fast enough positive reinforcement or negative verbal reinforcement and it just takes away the possibilities, such as migraine Jen taking Buddy for walk. Like if it is Buddy getting longer walk cause Jen does not hurry home because of upcoming migraine as she does have a way to communicate with Buddy even during the migraine attack.
I wanted to add a clip of Bud walking but it's too hard to coordinate with the baby and my illnesses. But I can explain! Buddy heels for most of the walk, but will occasionally get a foot or so ahead of me. That's when I give the gentle correction. Buddy's reaction to the correction is the same as if I verbally say "ah-ah" or "slow down" - he just slowly backs into his heel. Even the first time I ever used it (I did it in combination with the verbal cue he already knew), he didn't even look up at me. It's like he didn't notice, but within minutes the collar replaced the cue word. I'll include clips in the future if I'm able!
Fair enough. To reiterate, I am not open to negative or punishment-based tools for my dog, like the strong shock collars from decades ago. I don't subscribe to "spanking" for him. I wouldn't use the prong if that was how it worked. I know incorrect use can turn into that, which is why I took a paid course on proper use from a SD trainer before introducing it.
My dog gets excited when I grab the prong. She will start running up to the door and wagging her tail and will then sit without me asking for me to put it on her. A dog that’s afraid of an item will not get excited too see it and not willingly let you put it on them. For example she hates nail clippers and will run from me when I have them.
I personally would never use a prong collar but that’s because my trainer warned me with my breed of dog she could lunge into it so hard that she would serious injure herself. For a dog less prone to doing that I could see how it would work
It sucks that you have to explain yourself because someone else doesn't like your training method. I think it all depends on what works for your dog, if a prong works great or if you only need verbal corrections or a e-collar thats also great. Some dogs don't even need training tools, it all just depends on what works for you and your dog.
When looking on etsy for said collar, theres these small double ended clip strap things they call backup straps for the collar. Do you know what thats for??? I cant figure it out🤔 id appreciate anyones input on this!
My dog dosent care for treats when we're on walks and his recal is not great all the time. I can't use a prong collar while he's off lead to train him to come back. I'm at a loss
I mean they work bc they inflict pain, I don't think that is debatable. I know you are saying they don't but they absolutely are painful. I don't think it's fair to say dogs aren't in pain bc they dont react with emotion. Ecollars are less unpleasant and I am more understanding of those. I hate them for every dog including a well behaved animal. I have a 7 month old dane that is already 100 lbs and she's far from perfect but there are so many collars that work that don't inflict pain and correct behavior issues. Easy walk/Kurgo/etc.... My whole thing with dog training is,... if it doesn't have to be scary and painful why make it so That being said, it's your dog and your right to use whatever training devices you feel are necessary. I won't say that you love him any less.
If it’s fitted properly and set high on the neck, it doesn’t actually inflict any pain. The prongs are dulled ends and it’s even pressure all directions so it’s actually less pressure on their trachea than a normal flat collar only pulling one direction. Hope that helps!
I appreciate your balanced view. I agree it looks scary to us, but it doesn't look scary to Buddy. It's not painful to either of us. He's never had any shying away from this collar; never even a little jump from being startled by the use of it. Bud and I have a close bond, great communication, and I'm so gentle with him. The real mean tool in his eyes is the "broosh." =P
Why test it on your leg instead of your neck, where it sits on the dog? Those are two very different parts of the body structurally and in regards to sensitivity. I do appreciate your explanation on how that is how dogs communicate with one another. I think if there's a "right way" to use a prong collar, you're doing it. I don't believe in pain as punishment or correction, but you're using the collar as a means of communication rather than punishment. I'm still not sure how I feel about if I would ever use a prong collar, but you've definitely given me a lot to think about.
I appreciate your hesitation and also your open mind. I do explain why I used my leg in the video - dog skin isn't as sensitive. More details are in the clip =) I should have been more explicit, but I don't use it to teach or punish; it's not pain, just a poke or nudge. I didn't feel convinced myself until we tried it and Buddy liked it so much!
@@MommingwithMigraine You totally did, my brain just didn’t make the connection 🤪 If the dog isn’t pulling too hard I guess it wouldn’t affect the throat or musculature. I’ve just seen dogs literally choke themselves on cinch collars so I think I’m just naturally wary of them, but I’m so glad it’s working well for Buddy! I have to wonder if it depends on the dog whether it’s effective/harmful or not. Like, a dog with no history of abuse or neglect will probably respond better than a dog that has had adverse experiences or developed behavior issues. 🤷♀️ Sorry, I’m probably over-analyzing but behavior is totally my jam lol
I purchased the one that is covered (can't find the right words) so that ppl would not say & think things, like "how cruel she is, thats just terrible"!
I haven't seen those! I have not gotten comments in person, but he barely sees people when he's wearing it (he still does service dog work with only a flat collar).
Thank you so much! Fun facts about this dress: it's actually my mom's, but she let me steal it and I wear it backwards because the cut is SO MUCH BETTER that way.
Here in Norway most people think that Prong Collars should be banned. But you do you. I can't tell you that you're doing something wrong. I have only used soft leather collars on my dogs.
I'd love to hear more about leather collars if you have the time to reply. I don't think I've seen any collars other than ones made with synthetic materials.
Why don't you use an e-collar instead? You can get the same results (gentle nip) with a level 5-10 on an Educator e-collar and you get the benefit of off leash and with distance. Is it because the e-collar is more stimulation than you'd like (too harsh)? If I remember correctly from your previous video, you said you use a vibration only Educator e-collar? If you can get your hands on a regular e-collar, try using level 5-10 on a regular Educator collar on your own neck. It's less stimulation than the vibration. If you get the FT-330, you get a ring with a stimulation button, so you can just carry the remote in your bag (needs to be within 6ft from the ring) instead of having it in your hand. I'm not sure how I feel about a service dog using a prong collar while working. Personally, I have no issues with prong collars, but I'm sure you're going to have more issues with public access with a prong collar. With an e-collar, you can just put a bandana on your dog to hide it. I know I'm getting tangent now, but you can use the e-collar vibration for commands (ex: a very short vibration = look at me; long vibration = come; two short vibrations = sit; three short vibrations = down). This is great for when you don't want to yell or whistle commands across the field. PS. I appreciate the work that you do and am a big fan :)
It's easy to see that Buddy doesn't mind this collar at all, but it does strike me as a little... irresponsible maybe? for you to espouse all of the benefits of prong collars without acknowledging any of the specific potential risks involved. I assume you didn't intend to encourage others to use these devices, just to explain your own experience, but it concerns me when someone with a platform and a following talks about all the benefits of a thing that could prove cruel and damaging in other hands, without acknowledging those possibilities.
I am ordering.....wait........I might manufacture........This Is a Service Dog NOT a Service Robot!! patch.......Having a service dog for anxiety .......a panic disorder with volcano intensity......and PTSD......ok I will stop with three diagnosis.......listening to and hearing how some people believe our dogs.....SD dogs......are these super power beings with super being powers......yet....they eat....breath.......pee...and well you know the rest.....I try very hard to this day......even after having two SD's ......I have to work at not having so much anxiety and remind myself ......my SD is there to help me......and he is one of Gods little creatures and is far from perfect....and God forbid he ever do anything dog like.....lol. Great timing...I needed to see this video today. Blessings and Peace I love your channel. Robb
Not sure why you would perpetuate something like this on a platform like this when it isn’t your area of expertise. Just as you don’t probably don’t appreciate people spreading misconceptions and harmful medical information that can impact the lives of real humans, you really shouldn’t be doing this on behalf of the animal behavior world. It’s not a matter of opinion and it is irresponsible to treat it as such.
What you're saying doesn't correlate at all to what I said in the video; it sounds like your mind is just made up on this topic. People like you are why I LOVE to perpetuate doing your own research. 💜
Of course you have to rationalize this, you couldn’t live with yourself otherwise. As someone who raises service dogs for a nonprofit that gives them away for free, my greatest fear is that the dog I have loved and invested so much time in, would go to someone like you who could so capably rationalize doing something like this. Buddy…my heart breaks for you! 💔
Sounds like you've just never used a prong collar. You have nothing to worry about with Buddy, he is fiercely loved. Your hear SHOULD break for any disabled human who could have benefitted from a SDiT that your program "washed" due to a lack of diverse training tools.
@@MommingwithMigraine you are absolutely correct that I have never, nor would I ever use a prong collar. One does not need to utilize such drastic measures to get a dog to perform desired behaviors. As far as extending my heart to those with disabilities….that’s exactly why I have devoted so many years training and loving these dogs, only to give them away to those in need, all knowing that I likely will never see them again. I trust the amazing professional trainers that work with our organization, utilizing positive training methods and lots of love. I have no doubt that you love your dog but as I originally said, you have to rationalize this or you couldn’t live with yourself. Keep in mind, that not all dogs are meant to be service dogs. Only 60% actually make it. It is both okay and admirable to “career change” a dog if they are too distracted or unable to perform. Pet dogs are just a important as service dogs. Wishing all the best to you.
@@debnelson5472 It's not a drastic measure and it has nothing to do with service work... he's never used the prong while working. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, but thank you for politely stating your concerns.
I bought one of these after doing a face-plant in the gravel, and I love mine. Bear gets excited when he sees it, and it works well in stores etc. This particular brand really is the best in my opinion.
Do you use a prong collar/e collar for your dog? And if so, did you originally think they were the most evil dog training tools on the planet?
When I started dog training, I was in high school. A literal child. I worked under another trainer in my town to learn and build a resume. Well he was a positive reinforcement trainer. And I blindly believed him when it came to tools. Well my family got a puppy after a year of working with the trainer. I couldn't get her to walk on a loose leash. I did everything I knew how with positive reinforcement and it just wasn't working well enough. So I researched tools and decided to try a prong, and like you mentioned in your video, it was instant understanding. I was able to correct her in a way that made sense to her and after a couple weeks I was able to walk her without it just fine.
Another thing, positive reinforcement trainers are big on harnesses. My dog literally runs away from me if I try to put a harness on her. But a harness isn't mean. When it comes to training tools, I believe you should do what works for your dog. Dogs are individuals and have their own likes and dislikes
Yes I use an prong collar, also yes I thought they were abusive until I learned more about them and everything you said I agree with
I use one with Bella! She is also trained with an ecollar. I love them both and think they are very effective tools when used properly.
I had the same thoughts about prong collars. I thought they were torture devices. Then I watched a lot of training videos and decided to try a hermsprenger. Our dog gets overly excited now anytime I get the prong collar out because she knows that means we're going somewhere fun.
I use a prong on service dog and was eager to do so. My dog is a Doberman and at 9 months, is way too strong for me. The prong helps me control her better and helps her understand what I’m asking of her. The only hesitation I had about using one was the stigma and what kind of pushback I would get from those who were uneducated about it.
As someone with a psychology degree, I'm offended that you called psychology a "squishy science." We prefer the term "permanently theoretical." 😂😊
LOL I've never heard of that. An engineer called me a "squishy biologist" once, that's how I learned the term =P
I appreciate the way you approached this topic and explained how it is important to view both sides of the discussion before deciding for yourself as I behavioural trainer myself who often works with anxious dogs, I thought I would add my two cents for anyone who is interested.
For anyone who is contemplating a Prong Collar, a few things to consider
1. It is a good idea if using any sort of aversive to use a verbal warning before the correction as it gives them an opportunity to avoid the punishment and also allows you to fade the correction much quicker. (Jen did mention that migraines make this difficult for her but for other's this may help)
2. Often dogs that pull on lead excessively (not like Buddy) do so out of anxiety or uncertainty, introducing a punishment based device often makes this behaviour worse so a prong collar is not ideal. Get the emotion right first THEN teach the behaviour you want
3. 1 in 4 dogs are genetically predisposed to anxiety, these dogs are not likely to cope with punishment based devices. However approximately 1 in 4 are very genetically stable (Buddy is a perfect example) and due to their confidence can adapt to these methods without it affecting their emotional state. Always take note of how your dog reacts afterwards to know whether THEY consider something threatening.
4. Lastly, Be careful of when you correct as, if you correct a dog that is lunging towards a child in excitement it is very easy to accidentally create a negative association with children especially in an anxious dog. This can actually CREATE a fear of children.
Also for anyone looking for an alternative, front-attach harnesses work really well at controlling pulling and have no aversive effect :)
TLDR, Some dogs can adapt to Prong Collars without them causing harm but there are risks that must be considered. Only ever use this sort of equipment under the guidance of a trainer who takes into account the emotional state of the dog and uses methods based on dog psychology.
I'd say you should always consult a dog trainer, period.
Dogs need to be trained properly.
Especially if you intend to use positive punishment, you don't want to freak out your dog, but want to gently correct unwanted behaviors.
@@10prozenthimmel I agree 100% in fact I will amend my comment to reflect it and you need to be very picky about the trainer that you choose. Not all are equal in knowledge or skill
@@samantha7309 Very true.
well prong collar is absolutely not a solution to pulling on a leash. I only ever worked with emotionally stable animals (as a breeder it is the only dog you want to use for breeding) so every pulling was a result of excitement and/or leadership issues, but for me the best method is to just stop and recall the dog or even change direction of walking. Pulling ot of anxiety I only encountered in pups in new environment, but there a prong collar is out of the question anyway and there is no such thing as correcting anxiety, only calming down, providing safety or laughing at the silliness can resolve that.
That is odd that you recommend the alternative, front-attach harnesses. My bull mastiff-great Dane hated them and would not walk at all. If I held up a choice for him to pick he would ask for the pronged collar. Frankly he was my service dog, and super well trained and not one to pull. He just came to me with the collar, so I had it. Just like his vest came with him. I had actually gone out and gotten just a regular collar for him. He didn't seem to care for that as much.
So here is the thing though, I have in the past before I got him trained dogs, and the fact is that most people pull on the leash, and don't just give it a slight tug to tell the dog to stop. Instead they jerk the leash and pull backwards which can damage the dogs trachea in small dogs but even in big dogs it is unhealthy. Big dogs especially need to be trained from day one. When I started my lab shepherd mix as a puppy, I didn't even introduce him to a leash till my daughter wanted me to bring him to show and tell. The school required my 60 lb. lab shepherd to be on a leash, and I agreed it was a good rule, but he didn't know what it was. I had to carry said 60 lb dog to the classroom and back to the car. He had always just been trained to heal next to me and and stop when I said wait. I just started him out that way from the get go.
The problem is most people wait way to late to start training their dogs. By the way, I am not talking about Jen here. Just saying. But training started with Moses when I brought him home from the box in front of Walmart. It started out with rewards for accidentally sitting when I said sit. He was prone to sit when I talked to him so we rewarded that behavior. We just always worked and trained throughout the day in couple minute sessions. I am work at home, so I could do this! Most people wait till they have issue with the dog before they start training the dog. Now they are trying to correct a dog, not work with it and build a relationship with the dog.
The thing is with any collar you have to be trained to use them. Even a flat collar can be very dangerous, especially if you are jerking on a leash of any kind around the neck. Many people are using flat collars on dogs especially little ones who should only ever be on a harness and doing massive damage.
I think your recommended front harness would be fine if you get the dog early enough to be able to introduce it at a young age. But then again if you get the dog and start working with the dog at that young age you probably never need more than just a harness to walk the dog. I mean, my Moses could scale a 7 foot fence easily, but the only time he went over the fence is if my kids left the yard and then he thought he had to go round them back up. I am saying training needs to start really early and be just fun games as the puppy grows.
As a Trainer, I LOVE the way you connected the " natural " communication with the collar. I do much the same in my practice with owners. THANK YOU!
i personally am not a fan of prong collars because i feel that they are too easy to be misused, and therefore can easily put the dog in danger (again if they are not used properly) however, i think this video is amazing because you not only made it very clear that you use the prong collar properly but you even showed us that buddy feels you use it properly too. you are an amazing person and buddy is lucky to have an owner like you!
Love this! I agree that in the wrong hands or if used incorrectly they can be a problem, but that's the case for a lot of things! Even over-treating your dog to obesity puts the dog in danger. It's all about how you use the tools!
I used a prong collar at the suggestion of the dog handler at obedience class. She showed how it felt on my arm; it did not go in as far as the video shows. It really wasn't for my Westie because he is such a wuss and complained about any little hurt he had.
My sister's Corgi got one after I showed it to her. When she picked it up from the local pet store, he told her that a woman who trains Corgis uses them.
It shows that it depends on the dog and the knowledge of the handler. You can turn the prongs to point outward if you wish after initial training is finished.
These were my thoughts exactly
@@MommingwithMigraine exactly. Rolling pins can be misused if women murder their husbands with them. I’d still use a rolling pin.
Obviously a very extreme and weird example but at the same time I feel a reasonable one
Because of the obvious love and caring that you have shown in your care and training of Buddy, I support your decision to use it. You have raised and trained him and he obviously loves you as you love him. 👍 I enjoy your videos and learn from them even though I don't have health problems.
Thank you! Hugs!
Haven't watched the video yet but I'm happy you're spreading awareness about this seemingly controversial topic. Thanks for having the courage to advocate ❤
Horse person here. With everything I know about bits, prong collars make so much sense! It gives you the tools to communicate more information with less pressure, quicker, etc. But it's totally not for a dog who doesn't understand any of their owner's cues yet. It's power steering not power brakes
Oh my gosh as an old hunter/jumper rider this analogy is fantastic!
Prongs are less like bits but are more like halters. Where they're more used for communication but they can also be used for correction.
Yess
Before his tail wagged...he bowed, which is an invitation to play! Then he kept attention, and more energy, and he was both in reach and had his throat exposed. He was WANTING the collar!
I'm telling ya, it's his favorite thing.
@@MommingwithMigraine Yep my dog, preferred his pronged collar and he didn't need one, but we used it because he didn't like the regular collar??? He was a service dog also!
@@RiverWoods111 Oh wow! I hypothesize that Buddy has so much floof that he's not really feeling the flat collar clearly. Was your SD floofy?
We used the same type prong collar when training our GSD. (mainly to heal while walking) Worked like a charm! We were guided on how to use it by a professional. On large dogs with a thick coat it defiantly does NOT hurt! In fact, in many cases they can barely feel it unless yanked a bit sharply. The blunted ends of the prongs are designed to not hurt.
My Service dog Copper back 7 years ago preferred his prong collar. I can't believe how many people will put a choke chain on their dog, but not a prong collar. The choke chain can damage the dog's throat. My 14-year-old rescue has a trachea issue because of a non-pronged collar. He was on a flat collar, but because of his pulling behavior he now has serious breathing and eating issues. He came to me at 7 years old. The damage had been done. I immediately changed him to a harness because he is little but these same people will criticize me for using a pronged collar on a 110-pound dane/mastiff mix. The pulling on a flat collar or choke chain is worse than the pronged collar. My Copper would not walk on one of the nose or chest leads at all. He hated them. But he would get excited when I got his pronged collar out over all his other collars even flat.
different tools have different preposes and its great to check out new tools and im happy you are looking to explore yours
Thank you so much for speaking about this. We got our dog not long ago, he's awesome in so many ways (as most dogs are!). We've been training him but still find that he'd do a lot better with clearer communication on our part. After long considering our options as well as what *he* needs, we finally decided to order a herm sprenger too. It's all about knowing *how* to use the instrument and choosing the one that suits your dog best :)
You were spot on when you said it's about speaking your dog's language. If everything you do starts and ends there, you're probably not being abusive.
Thank you for sharing!
I hated the thought of a prong collar, but my younger dog is both inordinately strong and very easily distracted, so one was recommended to us for his safety and mine on walks. We chose a hidden prong “magic” collar (prongs covered with decorative nylon webbing and ribbon, so it looks like a regular martingale). He is always excited to go anywhere with us, but he absolutely DIVES into his “magic” collar when we pick it up. Seeing how he responded really made me not feel so bad about using one, and we can now both be happy and safe when out walking.
This is the second time I’ve watched this vid - ITS GOLD! When I first saw it I was on the fence about prongs - never thought I’d have a dog that needed one. But I was desperate…my SDiT was about to be washed. After 6 mo of intensive training (w/3 different trainers) it broke my heart to give up on her. Then I started my research (as u recommended). Our 4th trainer agreed to work w/us ONLY if we used a prong (& only w/a Harm Sprager as u suggested). She instructed me on proper fit & use to calm my fears (yes she made me wear it on arm too!). 3 mo later I have a dog that understands what I want, her heel is fantastic, she no longer pulls or lunges @passing cars, she’s safer - I’m safer (I haven’t been pulled to the ground since starting it)! THANK YOU, THANK YOU - your vid opened my eyes so my sweet pup could be all she could be. “Power steering “ for my dog is exactly what was needed. (I’m pretty sure you’ve delivered by now - hope everything went well - GOD bless your new little one & the rest of your family!). Kisses to Buddy for us! Peace🐾
Great video. I am a dog trainer and I am no longer training dogs, that was about twenty years ago and I have a service dog that I trained using an e-collar. It's just a stimulation collar not a shock collar. I think the biggest misunderstanding that people have with a prong collar or a choke chain is they tug on it they don't understand like you explained the quick sharp Jerk it should last a nanosecond and it doesn't bother the dog at all. it gives them clear communication that you are not to pull. Thank you so much. I'm getting a new service dog because my service dog of twelve years died last month. The problem I'm having is I need to work with a professional service dog trainer and they will only use positive reinforcement training. So for me that's quite a new direction to training a service dog. I see positive and negatives in both. I think the way I explain it is with positive reinforcement training you are rewarding what you want with the other type of training you are correcting what you don't want. So this was a great topic yes it's controversial but there's no one way to skin a cat. Or there's no one way to train a service dog. Thank you so much I Am brand new to your channel and this was a very good topic.
Thank you for this video, it would seem that the positive only crowd is always on a pushback against balanced trainers these days. I've said this very thing all the time ...one only has to observe dogs at play to understand that corrections are part of their vocabulary...not adding fair corrections to your communication tool box is like trying to communicate with another human without verbs and nowns.
YES THANK YOU!!! We need more content like this on the internet! I avoided using a slip lead with my current dog for the same reason, as soon as we started using it it was amazing communication and SO much easier than a flat collar. We used a prong collar with my dog we had when I was a kid. Looking back we weren't using it correctly and she still was totally fine after 9+ years of use- ya''ll should still research and use it correctly though!! Also she was always super psyched when she heard her prong collar and wanted us to put it on her for a walk.
Definitely important to look into proper use and get yourself trained on it!! I took a paid course!
This video was really well done and you clearly are committed to figuring out how to best look after your dog ❤️ To anyone who’s considering it I think it’s worth noting that obviously as a service dog the level of communication that she has with her dog was already exceptional. If you’re struggling to build this communication/ you’re frustrated with your dog’s behaviour look at and really invest effort in ‘positive training’ methods first! It takes time and effort on your part to become an effective communicator with your dog so in my opinion (just a dog owner) if you’re not willing to research and explore these techniques it’s probably best to generally stay away from applying negative pressures just yet, unless you’re fully committed to understanding how they shape behaviour. Using tools incorrectly can buy you more ‘bad’ behaviours than you get rid of, so don’t look to them as shortcuts. As she said she used it to fine-tune her communication with her dog not to establish it in the first place. I think it’s so important to understand that a dog can only behave well if you teach them what behaving well actually is (vs just teaching them what is not behaving well).
YES YES YES
One of my dogs goes through fazes of what she likes sometimes it's her harness, her martingale collar, or her flat collar right now it's the flat collar
This is really pedantic, but in psychology the terms "positive" and "negative" when discussing reinforcement and punishment actually refer to whether you are adding ("positive") or taking away ("negative") something to reinforce a behaviour or to punish. "Reinforcement" always refers to rewarding and reinforcing a behaviour, whereas "punishment" always refers to punishing and discouraging a behaviour.
For instance, an example of negative reinforcement would be: if a child does well in school, then their parents take away a chore they would normally do; an example of positive punishment would be if a child does poorly in school, adding a chore they wouldn't normally do. (further examples: positive reinforcement would be giving a child a cookie for being kind to their sibling; negative punishment would be taking away their video games for being mean to their sibling.)
I came here to say this, too!
Definitely pedantic. I have heard/do think that popping the collar for quick gentle correction is a positive punishment, like I said in the video. It's "positive" (adding something) to "punish" (discourage). Your example of bad kid has to do an extra chore... in this case, bad Bud has to deal with me annoying him. Tbh I'm not 100% sure what you're getting at.
@@MommingwithMigraine The neuroscientist in me just wanted to provide a little 'fun fact' on the subject since it was brought up. It wasn't meant as a harsh criticism, rather an educational tidbit for those interested. Tbh I can't tell from plain text writing if you're offended, but it wasn't intended that way.
@@wanderandwonder121 Yes that so right! Very clear examples. And I think it's very difficult to explain, so good job!
I do indeed feel a certain hostility in her reply, and in the video even. (that's my personal feeling about this, can't put a finger on it)
I think she was expecting hate or harsh comments, which could explain her reply to you, or she had a bad day, happens to all of us.
Don't take it personally though, I thought your comment was very helpful and factual!
There is some controverse about these terms I feel, so it's even more important to get it straight.
Victoria Stilwell, the dog trainer from "It's me or the dog", has her own take on training of course, and has also had some backlash for using the term. Because she believes in only using positive interactions, that give the dog a positive feeling, not in the usual sense of the term positive training as you explained so well. Her website is even called Positively. So she has to explain her take on it often. (actually imo she uses the term kinda wrong, or at least misleading, it's an unfortunate name) Have you heard of it? What's your take on her terminology?
@@MrsJolene- Thank you for your kindness and encouragement! I completely agree with you and also felt her comment was harsh, but she was probably expecting a lot of negativity. To be honest, it did put me off the channel a bit because I found it hurtful even though I understand she probably thought my comment was intended differently. Yes, I think a lot of people use the terms colloquially rather than in their true technical meaning, which makes understanding what the speaker or writer means rather difficult if they don't provide their own definition. I haven't heard of it, but I absolutely agree with you that it's very important to use the terms correctly or explain your own meaning of them in order to avoid confusion, especially if someone is using them to teach others a training technique! Thanks again for your kindness and reassurance, I appreciate it.
Thank you so much for making this video! It was so helpful! I have a service dog in training and I’m struggling with her leash pulling. I’ve been going back and forth for a while now about e collars, vibration collars, and prong collars. I’ve heard they’re great and good training tools that aren’t inhumane but I’ve also heard they’re incredibly inhumane and unethical. After lots of research I was leaning more towards the e collar but just using the vibration setting (I would never shock my dog). This really helped me understand dog language and how it relates to the prong. You’re explanation referencing social psychology actually helped it make a lot more since to me. Especially the pictures of Buddy with the puppy and different pain examples in Buddy and yourself. Thank you so, so much!
I have never heard an explanation for this. Very interesting and informative.
I gave in, bought one and put it on myself...I gave it several pulls and to my total shock it didn't hurt at all so in public I use it...Great difference when I just put it on him with no slight snap back on it! Amazing!!! I was one of those ppl that first said, No Way it's wicked looking"....Glad I bought it now!!!
Thank you for the video! I am a loong time amateur dog breeder/trainer. I never needed to use the prong collar (I had one for my first dog but ended up not using it), but I accepted that there are situations where it is better than nothing, especially with large strong dogs that were spoiled in their youth and need to be corrected during their puberty. After seeing your video, i think it is even pretty good! I would still hesitate to use it on breeds with thin necks such as greyhounds, but dogs that have ample hair on their necks and usually some amount of loose skin have very good tolerance for this kind of thing. I mean my breed (czechoslovak vlcak) loves to play in a way that looks like trying to murder each other. On the other hand, I also know firsthand that they have very good control of the hardness of the pressure they use by their teeth (once I played with my pups and their mother "grabbed" me by the neck - i felt just a tiny bit of touch) so that is also important to keep in mind - like you said, it should not be used as a strong punishment. But I mean Buddy's behavior speaks for itself and one can clearly see the difference between reaction to the brush and to the prong collar.
Thanks for this explanation, I think you put it very well! If a dog "needed" it for behavioral, I'd say get them to an experienced trainer ASAP! They may introduce a prong or e collar, but with such sensitive things it's better not to take matters into your own hands. Just in case because the pups can't talk! But I completely agree that in Bud's case, very trained, older, floofy, clear body language... he loves it.
I bought prong collar once before for mix lab it was amazing I walked all way ice cream place with stroller. Plus I’m now using it for our another dog who is 4 years old now because likes to pull
I appreciate this video - I've been hesitant to use one for years before finally getting one - It saved my dog from having to go back to the shelter after he had been there for almost a year already and helped me train him to where I could find him a suitable home
P.s. You look super pretty in the dress!
This reminds me of my dog and his leash he prefers to have is short leash rather than a long or retractable leash he also has an e collar that works great without pain
Thank you for the information because I have to get myself a new service dog and I was really really worried about using the prong collar
It was a worry for me as well. We all want the very best for our pups! I'm glad you're digging around and doing research before jumping into things.
Agree 100% tools are only harmful when used incorrectly and based on what you said you seem to use correctly so great job creating a healthy balanced relationship with your dog.
I feel like prong and ecollar training, for the humans!, has come a long way. I agree they are easier to misuse but I've also seen what a misused regular collar can do. So I am all for more proper training and information being put out there, for people. In the end it's just a tool, just like any other.
I feel like it starts with the breeder/seller. Most respectable/reputable breeders will ask questions about your intentions with your new puppy, they wouldn’t give a puppy to a handler who hasn’t shown some level of competence (whether that be years of experience training dogs or the want to learn to train this dog for the first time). Then you get into back yard breeding, pet smart sellers and adoption sellers that throw the whole thing out the window :D
Thank you so much for this information! I've thought about this for my dog and now I think I'll try it.
A balanced dog like buddy is an excellent translator between people and dogs. For a lot of people it can be hard to tell for instance what a bark means but if your dog is balanced they will let you know. If a dog barks at me and my dogs don’t react I know it’s just an insecure or dominant bark. If they walk up and want to greet then I know it was just a “hey look there’s new friends” bark and means no harm. If my dogs puff up and pay more attention to me I know it’s a dog that means harm and they are looking to me to see if we are going to correct that dog and defend ourselves or if we are going to ignore. You can clearly see that buddy is making his wants and likes crystal. A tense, quiet, low body means I really don’t want to be doing this but a calm, happy, relaxed body shows that they’re into it. If you provide your dog with balance they will open up a whole new world of communication between you and them and all dogs and in my personal experience I communicate better with people know that I read body language better. A mother dog doesn’t give her puppies treats when they are doing what she wants, she gives them balance and harmony and a few corrections here and there are not in anyway offensive to dogs. They want to know the rules and expectations so they can fit into the pack and be a part of it. They don’t want to feel like outcasts and they know they aren’t with you and on the same wavelength so to speak when you don’t communicate the rules to them in their language. Discipline is good it provides structure and they know what to expect. Punishment is bad because it makes no sense to them. They don’t understand why they are in “time out” because it’s not a natural behavior they practice with their species. Lol basically dogs are amazing and if you want to know how to communicate and have an amazing relationship with them learn their language. They will gladly teach you.
Now I feel dumb that I tried it on my neck first 😂😂 My dog loves his prong when we work because it makes it sooooo clear
A prong collar was the safest way for my older sis to train her husky haha.
She refused to use a slip lead, I use limited slip(martingale) collars.
That husky walked so beautifully on her prong, and never acted like it hurt.
She'd strangle herself pulling on a flat, and she'd pull you to kingdom come on her harness (or pull your bike nicely).
Haven't used a prong myself, but considering it for my current foster dog.
She doesn't care if her martingale tightens.
And with my swollen lymphnodes, I can't really wrestle her like I used to be able to do.
Makes perfect sense to me and thank you for demonstrating and testing it!
For my rat terrier, success with the prong collar was instantaneous. I'd already tried just treats and.coaxing, a choke collar (he constantly choked himself and coughed and spit), a two point leash (which helped a lot) bit he'd just lay down a lot. Solved all my problems in five minutes. Almost took back the collar because already done with it. But will keep it for future training. Have to say, for just leash training, I'm now a believer and before this experience looked at those who used them as torturers. But the plain and simple fact is that dogs understand it much better than words.
I liked biology and chemistry. I couldn't decide between them so I got into biochemistry."
This really cracked me up for some reason.
Snorting out loud here at the most sexy move ever. *leg thunks into shot* this is why I love you Jen.
Count on me to come in hot 🔥
I cared for a dog once who had an encounter with a really horrible person who put a shock collar on her and then kept pushing the remote to zap the dog, just for his own entertainment.
The person who did this was a friend (after this happened it was a former friend) of the dog owner who had "cared" for the dog before.
This only happened once, a few years before I met the dog, and I learned about it when wanting to take the dog for a walk, I put a collar on her.
The dog's behavior changed completely. She became very aggressive to me and would not let me get close. She would bark growl and snap at me every time I tried to get close to her. She but me good at one point when I tried to take the collar off.
It took me 2 full days to get the collar off, and once it was off she was back to her friendly self. I eventually had to sneak up on her while she was sleeping, and I finally got it off before she realized I was there.
By the way, it is really hard to sneak up on a sleeping dog. It's why it took me 2 days.
Just one experience being tortured by a shock collar was enough to make the dog absolutely terrified of *ANY* collar. I felt horrible for this dog. I didn't even blame her for biting me. But a few years later, when I went to take care of the dog again, she greeted me like an old friend. So I guess she didn't hold my putting a collar on her against me.
Just be careful when you leave your dog with someone. Make sure they won't abuse your animal.
Your way of speaking and explaining is so engrossing and you keep it interesting.
That's so nice to hear, thank you!
I had a Ridgeback who walked perfectly except when other dogs were involved. We worked with a dog behaviourist, he was absolutely not food motivated in those situations and even wanted nothing to do with a female dog in heat (he was fixed, her dog happened to be in heat and she wanted to see if he would at least be interested in her… no dice) …
We worked hard with a combination of head halter (that was properly introduced), and then later a front clip harness (also properly introduced) … He hated both of them. When he’d see one or the other come out he’d run away and cower. I hated putting them on, but he was so powerful I’d get pulled to the ground otherwise if he saw another dog. I did my research and like yourself, I decided to try the “evil prong collar” on someone’s suggestion. Like yourself, I too put it on myself and even on my own neck! I was surprised how ok it felt.
I introduced my boy to the prong and yes it was fit correctly (it sits high up the neck and quite snugly, please have a trainer show you if you decide to use it as I see so many ppl using it like a choke chain 😬 which is a big no no!) Even though he never pulled on walks unless he saw another dog, he was totally a different dog. Much more alter to me, FINALLY looked to my guidance on other dogs!! AAANNDD best of all, as soon as he heard the jingle of the prong, he’d come RUNNING to go for a walk! I was sold, but it did hurt getting judged by ppl even when I’d explain that we tried other devices, this is what HE preferred and felt happy in and helped him understand that we ignore other dogs on our walks!
My mum used a leash on me as a toddler in went on my wrist. I was always running whenever she needed to attend to my baby sister. I'm the only that she ever used one with. None of my other siblings were runners like I was.
We used something similar with our dog and it didn't work with him. Love a small part of how you train Buddy.
When I start training for service work with Willow I do plan on using a prong
I fully agree with you. Keep an open mind you never know what you may discover, and before you try anything on your SD or pet try it on yourself first so you know what the dog is going to be feeling. I firmly believe that every single dog is different, responds differently to different forms of training or different collars, I believe that dogs all feel sensations differently, and that if you pay attention the dog will tell you if it's okay with the device or if it's really hurting him. That gentle training, and alertness to cues from the dog is what makes you such a good trainer and handler for buddy. He trusts you, and now you speak his language so communication is now very effective. The main thing with any collar or training device is alertness and attentiveness. Those two qualities are what makes knowing your dogs true thoughts on the device are, and allows you to make a good decision.
We use both a prong and an ecollar at different times with our heeler (on leash/off leash) and I’ve never considered either of them to be any sort of reinforcement, that comes after. To me they are very simply clear and concise non-verbal communication. I use treats, praise, and toys for reinforcement. For example, dog pulls, I do prong correction, dog drops back to my side, I reward with treat or praise. The key though is neither should be a painful stimulus ever.
Completely agree with that. Especially when you only use it for things the pup already knows. It's a really positive and bonding experience!
I find the logic of prong collars pretty interesting. Since a normal collar will apply pressure on the front of their neck which practically enables something in the dogs brain that their balance is wrong and they are falling backwards, therefore they lean forward so that they don't feel like they're falling. Prong collars apply equal pressure so it is just to show the dog to stop instead of putting their balance off, its really interesting.
I've never heard of that but that actually seems completely true. We have to teach the dog to "give" to flat collar leash pressure, but I never knew why. That's a super interesting theory.
yes! thank you for putting this collar in the right light!
I love your channel! Also your service dog is so cute!
Thank you so much!
using the prong collar is no better than scrunching the scruff of their neck to tell them no.
You don’t grab or pull on it hard. A little squeeze when they are losing control, makes a big difference.
My dog doesn’t like strangers and will bark for minutes after they leave.
Having that little “no thank you” helps correct the behaviour.
It’s how they are corrected as pups or in the wild - all animals have that command their mother gave them
Absolutely. Nice and gentle, clear communication.
I love listening to your voice I would probably listen to you talk about anything 😅❤️
This has given me a lot of perspective. Like you I was very against it... now, I have a more open mind. Thank you for your perspective
You are so welcome!
I always assumed prong collars were inhumane, but now I believe if used correctly and it works for the dog and the trainer it may be a useful humane training tool.
I am not sure if the prong collar would work for me and my headstrong staffy who pulls I think she might still pull with it on.
I now use a harness and attach the lead at the front of the harness where her chest is so that when she pulls it steers her back towards me and that works well for us.
I really think training is very important for all dogs the better trained the more safe and humane for the dog and the more freedom the dog can enjoy.
If the prong collar can help to humanly train dogs if used correctly then that seems like a good thing to me.
yeah prong collars are not good to correct pulling on leash. Distraction such as yours is much better.
Humane is most important in my eyes. The prong/e collar use isn't to TEACH the dog to walk nicely, it's to reinforce/gently correct the dog back to the behavior they already know. I am not a trainer, but I wouldn't personally recommend it for a dog that doesn't already loose-leash walk.
Helpful thank you
You're welcome!
My service dog is also not treat-motivated, it took her trainer a long time to teach her to even hold things in her mouth. The treats, better treats, and hotdogs didn't work, she needed a freshly cooked chicken to be interested enough!
I don't think a prong collar would be good for her, though, because she's pretty small and gentle - she whines when bigger dogs start looking a tiny bit aggressive even if they're not touching her yet.
I do use a Halti, so with a tiny flick/pull of the leash she has to turn her head towards me and pay closer attention, and it works perfectly for her (I only use it when she's working).
My other dog, however, might need something like that. He's a highly opinionated, wily, smart trickster :D
Of course prong collars can be bad or “evil” when used incorrectly but used correctly they can be a SUPER helpful tool.
(There aren’t any yet but..) HATERS BEGONE!!
Also wanted to say thank you again Jen for all your videos. They’ve gotten me through a rly dark time and helped give me faith that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I got a shirt today I need to share with you, it says “broken crayons still color”. I have no clue why but I thought maybe you’d appreciate it as much as I do :) yayyy mental health!!
They'll be here in no time. I've got popcorn.
@@MommingwithMigraine do you have a P.O. Box? I have the random urge to send you one of these shirts (not saying you’re broken obviously but we feel that way sometimes with chronic issues)
@@MommingwithMigraine I’m so sorry if that’s insulting in any way, my fiancé thinks it’s a shirt insulting myself and now I’m concerned other people may feel the same. I think it’s super positive though
Intro had me crying frfr
Were can I get one I saw one in PetSmart and I wanted to get it but I was not sure should I get it from PetSmart
I just love you girl that's all I have to say!!!♡☆♡☆
I still love you and will watch your content, but disagree with the use of prong collars. I also worry that people will take this as an endorsement of using prong and shock collars, which in many dogs will have consequences on their emotional wellbeing (I realize you said several times to research all sides of the issue, but people often don't, especially if this confirms what they want to hear). I hear your reasoning and do agree that in your situation, Buddy does not appear to be negatively affected; I would be curious to see his body language during a correction though to fully assess that. I know of several trainers (and even more veterinary behaviorists) who use solely positive reinforcement and are able to achieve the desired outcome in cases where most people think it's impossible without some form of punishment.
I think it really depends on both the situation and the character and motivation of the animal you want to train. There are definitely some combinations of those where it's very hard or even impossible to get your point across with only positive reinforcement. Sometimes being able to say no thank you is very powerful indeed and much less confusing than trying it with positive reinforcement. My experience is more with cats than dogs but I have a cat who is very sensitive and gets confused and frustrated very easily, if she doesn't understand what she's supposed to do. I use verbal clues for her and having a 'no' worked wonders.
It is not something that works for every case nor should it be used for every dog. But as Jen said correctly: inform yourself, know your pet and it's needs and make sure you do it right. Even the most harmless thing can be painful in the wrong hands but being able to communicate as precisely as possible is super important.
this is a thing about some of the controverisal topics. I mean electric collar and prong collar can be a perfect tool in hands of a person that has very good understanding on how to use them and very good feel for the animal. You are right that many of the people who will use them are not able to use them properly. Unfortunately, many of the people who have dogs are not able to have them properly. That is the result of freedom - there will always be people that should never ever do some things like have pets or have babies, but there is no way to legally and ethically stop them. On the other hand, lots of people that would be able to use these tool properly and get really good results never try them, because they are told it is evil. And yeah, most of the time there is no reason why you shouldn't take the long road of positive reinforcement only, but then there are situations like this one, where at times the person cannot provide fast enough positive reinforcement or negative verbal reinforcement and it just takes away the possibilities, such as migraine Jen taking Buddy for walk. Like if it is Buddy getting longer walk cause Jen does not hurry home because of upcoming migraine as she does have a way to communicate with Buddy even during the migraine attack.
I wanted to add a clip of Bud walking but it's too hard to coordinate with the baby and my illnesses. But I can explain! Buddy heels for most of the walk, but will occasionally get a foot or so ahead of me. That's when I give the gentle correction. Buddy's reaction to the correction is the same as if I verbally say "ah-ah" or "slow down" - he just slowly backs into his heel. Even the first time I ever used it (I did it in combination with the verbal cue he already knew), he didn't even look up at me. It's like he didn't notice, but within minutes the collar replaced the cue word. I'll include clips in the future if I'm able!
Fair enough. To reiterate, I am not open to negative or punishment-based tools for my dog, like the strong shock collars from decades ago. I don't subscribe to "spanking" for him. I wouldn't use the prong if that was how it worked. I know incorrect use can turn into that, which is why I took a paid course on proper use from a SD trainer before introducing it.
@@MommingwithMigraine I appreciate you taking the time to respond! :)
I have touched a prong collar...my pinky nail can be sharper than that at times!
=) ive been using one for over 8 years and I love mine
My dog gets excited when I grab the prong. She will start running up to the door and wagging her tail and will then sit without me asking for me to put it on her. A dog that’s afraid of an item will not get excited too see it and not willingly let you put it on them. For example she hates nail clippers and will run from me when I have them.
YES THIS! Buddy loves the prong too. Hates to be brushed. 🤭
What size did you get for him?
I personally would never use a prong collar but that’s because my trainer warned me with my breed of dog she could lunge into it so hard that she would serious injure herself. For a dog less prone to doing that I could see how it would work
It sucks that you have to explain yourself because someone else doesn't like your training method. I think it all depends on what works for your dog, if a prong works great or if you only need verbal corrections or a e-collar thats also great. Some dogs don't even need training tools, it all just depends on what works for you and your dog.
Very interesting, Thanks for sharing! Wishing you the best:)
When looking on etsy for said collar, theres these small double ended clip strap things they call backup straps for the collar. Do you know what thats for??? I cant figure it out🤔 id appreciate anyones input on this!
Girth extender? If I am picturing it right, we have one attached to Buddy's to make the strap a few inches longer.
@@MommingwithMigraine i went back to find exactly what they were called- ‘prong safety clip’? 🤔🤷🏻 it could be what you said, im not quite sure lols.
@@rikkichadwick1622 it's to connect the prong to the normal collar cus some smaller prong collars can bend easily and might come open
My dog dosent care for treats when we're on walks and his recal is not great all the time. I can't use a prong collar while he's off lead to train him to come back. I'm at a loss
I found lots of solutions for things like this from the training/behaviorist youtube chanel Fenrir Canine Training, if you're interested
Have you considered an e collar?
Love Your Videos!!❤❤❤❤
Thank you!! Happy to hear it
So glad they are band in Australia
I mean they work bc they inflict pain, I don't think that is debatable. I know you are saying they don't but they absolutely are painful. I don't think it's fair to say dogs aren't in pain bc they dont react with emotion. Ecollars are less unpleasant and I am more understanding of those. I hate them for every dog including a well behaved animal. I have a 7 month old dane that is already 100 lbs and she's far from perfect but there are so many collars that work that don't inflict pain and correct behavior issues. Easy walk/Kurgo/etc....
My whole thing with dog training is,... if it doesn't have to be scary and painful why make it so
That being said, it's your dog and your right to use whatever training devices you feel are necessary. I won't say that you love him any less.
If it’s fitted properly and set high on the neck, it doesn’t actually inflict any pain. The prongs are dulled ends and it’s even pressure all directions so it’s actually less pressure on their trachea than a normal flat collar only pulling one direction. Hope that helps!
I appreciate your balanced view. I agree it looks scary to us, but it doesn't look scary to Buddy. It's not painful to either of us. He's never had any shying away from this collar; never even a little jump from being startled by the use of it. Bud and I have a close bond, great communication, and I'm so gentle with him. The real mean tool in his eyes is the "broosh." =P
Why test it on your leg instead of your neck, where it sits on the dog? Those are two very different parts of the body structurally and in regards to sensitivity. I do appreciate your explanation on how that is how dogs communicate with one another. I think if there's a "right way" to use a prong collar, you're doing it. I don't believe in pain as punishment or correction, but you're using the collar as a means of communication rather than punishment. I'm still not sure how I feel about if I would ever use a prong collar, but you've definitely given me a lot to think about.
I appreciate your hesitation and also your open mind. I do explain why I used my leg in the video - dog skin isn't as sensitive. More details are in the clip =) I should have been more explicit, but I don't use it to teach or punish; it's not pain, just a poke or nudge. I didn't feel convinced myself until we tried it and Buddy liked it so much!
@@MommingwithMigraine You totally did, my brain just didn’t make the connection 🤪 If the dog isn’t pulling too hard I guess it wouldn’t affect the throat or musculature. I’ve just seen dogs literally choke themselves on cinch collars so I think I’m just naturally wary of them, but I’m so glad it’s working well for Buddy! I have to wonder if it depends on the dog whether it’s effective/harmful or not. Like, a dog with no history of abuse or neglect will probably respond better than a dog that has had adverse experiences or developed behavior issues. 🤷♀️ Sorry, I’m probably over-analyzing but behavior is totally my jam lol
I purchased the one that is covered (can't find the right words) so that ppl would not say & think things, like "how cruel she is, thats just terrible"!
I haven't seen those! I have not gotten comments in person, but he barely sees people when he's wearing it (he still does service dog work with only a flat collar).
I love your dress!
Thank you so much! Fun facts about this dress: it's actually my mom's, but she let me steal it and I wear it backwards because the cut is SO MUCH BETTER that way.
Here in Norway most people think that Prong Collars should be banned. But you do you. I can't tell you that you're doing something wrong. I have only used soft leather collars on my dogs.
They probably ARE banned in lots of places! But so are a lot of other things. I'm thankful I get to make my own choice on this.
I'd love to hear more about leather collars if you have the time to reply. I don't think I've seen any collars other than ones made with synthetic materials.
Why don't you use an e-collar instead? You can get the same results (gentle nip) with a level 5-10 on an Educator e-collar and you get the benefit of off leash and with distance. Is it because the e-collar is more stimulation than you'd like (too harsh)? If I remember correctly from your previous video, you said you use a vibration only Educator e-collar? If you can get your hands on a regular e-collar, try using level 5-10 on a regular Educator collar on your own neck. It's less stimulation than the vibration. If you get the FT-330, you get a ring with a stimulation button, so you can just carry the remote in your bag (needs to be within 6ft from the ring) instead of having it in your hand. I'm not sure how I feel about a service dog using a prong collar while working. Personally, I have no issues with prong collars, but I'm sure you're going to have more issues with public access with a prong collar. With an e-collar, you can just put a bandana on your dog to hide it.
I know I'm getting tangent now, but you can use the e-collar vibration for commands (ex: a very short vibration = look at me; long vibration = come; two short vibrations = sit; three short vibrations = down). This is great for when you don't want to yell or whistle commands across the field.
PS. I appreciate the work that you do and am a big fan :)
We have the mini educator 🙂
Awesome positive prong collar video!
Hi Jen, hope your feeling ok
I am! One day at a time. Love and hugs
Maybe they can be evil but only if misuse them but if not they can be great I use one for my pups
Because you love your dog! If you don’t want to cause your dog pain and discomfort, then don’t use prong collars.
Hey! I am early!!
Yes you are! Hi!!
It's easy to see that Buddy doesn't mind this collar at all, but it does strike me as a little... irresponsible maybe? for you to espouse all of the benefits of prong collars without acknowledging any of the specific potential risks involved. I assume you didn't intend to encourage others to use these devices, just to explain your own experience, but it concerns me when someone with a platform and a following talks about all the benefits of a thing that could prove cruel and damaging in other hands, without acknowledging those possibilities.
Totally fair. I do wish I'd mentioned more of those things explicitly, even though I see them as well-known ideas. It's the mainstream perception.
Gosh I’m worried about the amount of hate you’re going to get on this video. So many people are uninformed and adamant about the prong color.
That's TH-cam for ya 💁💜
Irish fan 🥰 any tips on training a amstaff? You got Snapchat?
I am ordering.....wait........I might manufacture........This Is a Service Dog NOT a Service Robot!! patch.......Having a service dog for anxiety .......a panic disorder with volcano intensity......and PTSD......ok I will stop with three diagnosis.......listening to and hearing how some people believe our dogs.....SD dogs......are these super power beings with super being powers......yet....they eat....breath.......pee...and well you know the rest.....I try very hard to this day......even after having two SD's ......I have to work at not having so much anxiety and remind myself ......my SD is there to help me......and he is one of Gods little creatures and is far from perfect....and God forbid he ever do anything dog like.....lol. Great timing...I needed to see this video today. Blessings and Peace I love your channel. Robb
Chernobyl disaster smell and eat gasoline
Not sure why you would perpetuate something like this on a platform like this when it isn’t your area of expertise. Just as you don’t probably don’t appreciate people spreading misconceptions and harmful medical information that can impact the lives of real humans, you really shouldn’t be doing this on behalf of the animal behavior world. It’s not a matter of opinion and it is irresponsible to treat it as such.
What you're saying doesn't correlate at all to what I said in the video; it sounds like your mind is just made up on this topic. People like you are why I LOVE to perpetuate doing your own research. 💜
Of course you have to rationalize this, you couldn’t live with yourself otherwise. As someone who raises service dogs for a nonprofit that gives them away for free, my greatest fear is that the dog I have loved and invested so much time in, would go to someone like you who could so capably rationalize doing something like this. Buddy…my heart breaks for you! 💔
If you’ve never had one from this particular brand around your own neck then you have no idea what you’re talking about
Sounds like you've just never used a prong collar. You have nothing to worry about with Buddy, he is fiercely loved. Your hear SHOULD break for any disabled human who could have benefitted from a SDiT that your program "washed" due to a lack of diverse training tools.
@@MommingwithMigraine you are absolutely correct that I have never, nor would I ever use a prong collar. One does not need to utilize such drastic measures to get a dog to perform desired behaviors. As far as extending my heart to those with disabilities….that’s exactly why I have devoted so many years training and loving these dogs, only to give them away to those in need, all knowing that I likely will never see them again. I trust the amazing professional trainers that work with our organization, utilizing positive training methods and lots of love. I have no doubt that you love your dog but as I originally said, you have to rationalize this or you couldn’t live with yourself. Keep in mind, that not all dogs are meant to be service dogs. Only 60% actually make it. It is both okay and admirable to “career change” a dog if they are too distracted or unable to perform. Pet dogs are just a important as service dogs. Wishing all the best to you.
@@debnelson5472 It's not a drastic measure and it has nothing to do with service work... he's never used the prong while working. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, but thank you for politely stating your concerns.
I bought one of these after doing a face-plant in the gravel, and I love mine. Bear gets excited when he sees it, and it works well in stores etc. This particular brand really is the best in my opinion.